Update, 8/16/2025 @ 5:32 PM: Following the discovery of controversial past Twitter posts, Bloodshot writer Mauro Mantella has deleted his Twitter account and issued an apology on Instagram.
In his statement, Mantella expressed, “I want to offer my most sincere apologies. I know I made a mistake, but at no point did I intend to spread a message of hate.” He clarified that he initially wrote the comic’s script in Spanish, modifying it slightly for the English version. This adjustment resulted in him unintentionally using a phrase often associated with negativity. “I realize it was interpreted completely differently than I intended,” he acknowledged.
Mantella stressed his subconscious had misguided him while attempting to provide a sharp commentary, and reiterated that his narrative referred to a fictional world where vampires impose eternal life upon children without their consent. He also noted that the upcoming second issue will address the repercussions of this narrative choice, maintaining focus on the story’s fictional context.
Regarding his previous social media posts, Mantella described himself as a fan of conspiracy theories, which he finds “fascinating and inspiring” for his storytelling. He assured readers of his commitment to being “more careful and serious” about his online presence and emphasized a “humanist, conciliatory approach” in his narratives—focusing on people rather than conflict.
Mantella identifies as “center/left-thinking,” stating this perspective makes him a “peronista” in Argentina. He described it as “painful” to be misidentified as alt-right.
Original story: Recently, Valiant published Bloodshot #1 as part of its “Beyond” reboot. Shortly after the comic’s release, readers noted what appeared to be a derogatory commentary on transgender individuals.
Within the comic, Bloodshot reflects on his battles with vampires and expresses concern about Yakuza’s collaboration with local authorities to “normalize blood consumption,” suggesting it influences youth. He states, “There are kids who want to be bitten… Their parents force them into that irreversible change.” This perspective closely mirrors harmful stereotypes perpetuated by transphobic individuals, insinuating that transgender identities stem from external influences rather than personal truth.
Many in the comics industry quickly criticized Bloodshot, leading to co-publisher Alien Books and Mantella’s apology for any distress caused by the writing. They acknowledged that while the story resides in a fictional realm of vampires and cults, a specific dialogue was interpreted in relation to real-world issues, especially regarding discrimination against transgender individuals.
The statement added, “That was never the intention. The original line was crafted by an Argentinian creator, and unfortunately, a nuance was lost in translation. We fully recognize that intent does not erase impact.”
An Update from Alien Books.
— Alien Books (@alienbooks.bsky.social) August 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Moving forward, Alien will alter the controversial dialogue in the book’s digital and collected editions and pledged to enhance their script review process. However, some felt that attributing the misunderstandings to translation issues was not sufficient, as Mantella is a trained translator and has previously worked with U.S. comic publishers, such as DC Comics.
Compounding these sentiments is Mantella’s history of sharing right-wing and anti-LGBTQ sentiments online. His social media history has revealed numerous posts—some later deleted—including previously retweeted jokes from anti-LGBTQ+ accounts and memes debating pandemic responses.
As you explore the intersection of pop culture and social issues, understanding how narratives can shape and reflect our reality is crucial. For more insightful content on similar topics, feel free to visit Moyens I/O for further exploration.